Bjorn Rebney promises stars on Bellator’s upcoming reality series

Bellator has already followed in the UFC’s footsteps to an extent by hosting a series of tournaments to establish the brand and will do so again next year with the introduction of a reality show on Spike TV similar to the Ultimate Fighter. However, one area the Bellator series will differ from TUF in will apparently relate to the level of talent involved in the competition.

Minus a few exceptions, TUF generally features up-and-coming fighters rather than established veterans. According to Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, that won’t be the case with his company’s still-to-be-named program.

“There are some wickedly good pros on this show. I think we have the greatest collection of talent that’s ever been on a reality show in this genre,” said Rebney in an interview with MMAJunkie. “It will be good storytelling, and a lot of focus on who the fighters are and what they’re about. But it’ll also have some incredible fighters on it fighting in a cage.”

Bellator matchmaker Sam Caplan went on Facebook and added some weight to Rebney’s statements, writing, “Bjorn ain’t kidding about this. I know a ‘lil something about the cast.”

Rebney also added that he expects to announce more details in the coming weeks including the city playing host to the taping. Taping is expected to start in early 2013 with a cast of lightweights/welterweights.